Portable table with pivotally mounted frame



Oct. 21, 1958 c, KOETT 2,857,228

PORTABLE TABLE WITH PIVOTALLY MOUNTED FRAME Filed Nov. 29, 1957 3Sheets-Sheet l i ,arromvevs Oct. 21, 1958 A. c. KOETT 2,857,228

PORTABLE TABLE WITH PIVOTALLY MOUNTED FRAME Filed Nov. 29, 1957 ELIE-=53 Sheets-Sheet 2 144 85?? C Kosrr 6 0/75 jHEk/DA/V A. C. KOETT Oct. 21,1958 PORTABLE TABLE WITH PIVOTALLY MOUNTED FRAME Filed NOV. 29, 1957 5Sheets-Sheet'S LIE-.5

w 1 RT M m 0; H 1 N0 WK F. P. m6 m M 757 z m A u U A 0 m Mn a UnitedStates Patent 2,857,228 PORTABLE TABLE WITH PIVOTALLY MOUNTED FRAMEAlbert C. Koett, Birmingham, Mich. Application November 29, 1957, SerialNo. 699,694 3 Claims. (Cl. 311-80) The present invention relates to newand useful improvements in portable light-weight tables and moreparticularly to a light-weight table which is collapsible or foldable.

Conventional television tables, or snack tables as they are morecommonly known, for the most part provide a suitable place on which toplace beverages, candy or the like, for use and consumption duringparties or other occasions. However, the purpose for which these tableswere designed is not fully met since the X leg construction does notpermit anyone using such a table to sit comfortably unless he sits onthe edge of his chair.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is the provision of aportable, light-weight table which can be readily and quickly set upfrom its folded or collapsed position. A person using the table of thepresent invention can readily move it to any desired comfortableposition and sit relaxed, since the table when erected is of a C-shapeddesign and can be brought within close proximity of the user. Thiseliminates the necessity of sitting on the forward edge of a chair in acramped or awkward position with the resultant possibility of turningthe table over.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a highquality, collapsible table which can be readily manufactured by modernmass production methods and sold at a reasonable price to the customer.

Another object of the present invention is the provi -si-on of acompact, portable, light-weight collapsible table which is rigid inconstruction, and which can be easily folded or stored.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of aportable, light-weight table, which has an adjustable top surface. Thisconstruction provides an inexpensive angled desk top surface on whichchildren may work or play. 1

The foregoing and related objects are accomplished by the provision of aportable, light-weight foldable table construction, having a fiat topportion; a pivotal structure secured parallel to the forward edge of thetop portion; swivel leg members mounted to said pivotal structure; apositioning means between said swivel leg members and said top portionfor holding and locking said portable light-weight table in the openposition.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following descriptionand appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawingsforming a part of this specification wherein like reference charactersdesignate corresponding parts in the several views.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a portable light-weight table showingone embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation showing the table in the open position.

Fig. 3 is a rear elevational View showing the table in the foldedposition.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of Fig. 3 showing the folded position, andalso showing a phantom view of the erected position.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view, partially broken away, of the pivotalstructure and swivel construction contained within the encircled portionof Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view through the positioning means, taken online 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the table top spring positioning member.

Fig. 8 is an end elevation of a table using another em bodiment of thepresent invention.

Fig. 9 is a front elevation of the table shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary view of another embodiment of abracket which pivotally secures the table top to the frame.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary view of another embodiment of abracket which pivotally secures the table top to the frame.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged view of a modified table rim member.

Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited in its application to thedetails of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of otherembodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also,it is to be under-stood that the phraseology or terminology employedherein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of aportable, light-weight table construction according to the firstembodiment of the present invention. The unit assembly 10, has a flattop portion 12, surrounded by a rim member 14, which not only hasutility, but provides a decorative ornamentation. The rim member 14further provides a locking channel portion 16 for positioning andrigidly securing the flat table top portion 12, while a track portion18, integral with the channel member 16, acts as a guide for one end 38of each of the table top spring positioning members 20.

An inverted U-shaped tubular member 24 is pivotally secured to theunderside of the forward edge of the table top portion 12 by means of apair of pivotal bracket members 26. Each pivotal bracket member 26 has ahead portion 26A and a shank portion 268 (Fig. 5), and is pressed intoan opening 29 in the radial bend of the U-shaped member 24. The threadedend 26T of each pivotal bracket member 26 is held in engagement with thetrack member 18 by a threaded screw 28. A screw 28 is inserted throughan opening 27 in the track member 18 and threadedly engages the threadedshank portion 26T. The open ends 24A and 24B of the U-shaped tubularmember 24 are of an enlarged diameter, the inside of which forms abearing surface in which the L-shaped leg members 30 and 32 are swivelmounted. Drilled or stamped openings 35 are located in the enlarged openends 24A and 24B of the U-shaped member 24 to receive one end 34 of eachof the table top spring positioning members 20 (Fig. 7). A double slot36 is machined or stamped into the end of each leg member 30 and 32, andwhen the leg members 30 and 32 are assembled, the formed ends 34 of thetable top spring positioning members 20 are inserted into the openings35 in the enlarged I end portions 24A and 24B, and intersect the doubleslot portions 36. This construction provides an assembly locking meansto prevent the legs 30 and 32 from accidental removal, and also forms astop means to prevent excessive rotational movement of the leg members30 and 32 while the table is being set up or folded.

Fastening means such as shown in Figs. 10 and 11 of the drawings can beused in place of the bracket 26 and screw 28. The fastening means inFig. 10 comprises a pin 129 which is substantially square incross-section. Such cross-section prevents rotation of the pin 129 withrespect to the U-shaped member 124. A rounded boss 128 extends from thepin 129 through an opening in the track member 118.

The fastening means shown in Fig. 11 comprises a pin and is made fromround stock, which is flattened on one end and has a reduced diameter onthe other. The flattened end 140 is formed to lit the contour of thetube 138 and is spot welded in position as shown at 142. The roundsection 144 of the pin has a reduced diameter 146 which extends throughthe opening 148 in the rim member 150, to provide a pivot.

The formed portion 38 of the spring table top positioning member 20rides in the track portion 18 of the rim member 14 until the end 39 ofthe positioning member 20 engages one of several positioning openings 22in the track 18. These openings 22 position the table top relafive tothe base leg or foot members 42 and 44. The I swivel leg members 30 and32 have angular forward bends 31 and 33 respectively, below the swivelpoints. Complementary reverse direction radial bends 31a and 33a are ofsomewhat less than 90 angle. The second or complementary .bend forms anL-shaped base leg or foot member.

The stability of the portable, light-weight table is maintained by a pinextension 46, located on each of the reverse direction complementaryradial bends 31a-and 33a in the base leg or foot member 42 and 44.

A modified form of the invention is shown in Figs. 8 and 9 of thedrawings. This modification includes a metal strap 248 which is afiixedby a pin at 250 to the top of the U-shaped member 224. The end portionsof the strap 248 are affixed by pins 252 and 254. It will .be noted inthis embodiment that these pins are positioned where the ends 34 of thetable top positioning members 20 are positioned in the first embodiment.The strap adds strength to the device.

The table top positioning members 220 are engaged with the L-shaped legmembers 230 and 232 below the forward bend in each leg. In addition, twosupport rods 256 are positioned one on each L-shaped leg 230 and 232between the bottom portion and the upright portion. The addition of thestrap 248 and the rods 256 provides such strength that the table mayeven be used for a heavy duty application such as a typewriter stand.

Since the table described is sometimes used for heavy duty applications,provision must be made to accommodate a heavy and more rigid topsurface. This is accomplished by the provision of a modified rim member180 which will accommodate table tops of two thicknesses. The differentthickness being illustrated at A and B in the drawings (Fig. 12). Whenthe table top used is of the thickness shown at A, the outer peripheraledge of the table top must engage the inside periphery of the topsection 182 of rim 180. Should a heavy duty table top be used, it willbe necessary for the table top to be cut in such a manner as to engagethe bent edge 184 of the rim 180. It will then be readily seen that thesingle rim construction proposed will accommodate table tops of twothicknesses.

To securely join the ends of the rim member 180, a deformed tonguemember 186 is provided which enters the slotted opening 188 in theopposite end of the rim when the table is assembled. The tongue is thenbent over fiat to fasten both ends securely, thus providing a veryinexpensive construction and simple assembly method.

From the description above, it is readily apparent that the light-weightportable table herein described is simple in structure and rigid inconstruction. It may be quickly and easily set up or folded. The tableof the present invention, when set up, is of a C-shaped design and canbe brought within close proximity of the user, permitting the user todraw the table near and sit comfortably in a chair without undue fear ofturning the table over.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a portable, light weight folding table, the combination of a fiattable top; a rim around said table top which forms a locating strip ateach side of said table top, said locating strips having openingstherein; a tubular,

substantially U-shaped pivotal structure secured to the underside ofsaid table top by a pair of pivot extensions which engage said rim, saidU-shaped pivotal structure having a pair of diametrically opposed holesnear each end thereof; a pair of tubular legs are rotatably mounted ineach end of said U-shaped pivotal structure, each of said legs having apair of diametrically opposed, relatively narrow cam slots therein;means for supporting the table top in the operative position; and apin-type member extending through the opposed leg holes and the opposedcam slots near each end of said U-shaped pivotal structure to limit therotational movement of said legs with respect to said U-shaped pivotalstructure.

2. In a portable, light weight folding table, the combination of a flattable top; a rim around said table top forming a track having openingstherein; a tubular substantially U-shaped pivotal structure secured tosaid table top by a pair of pivot members which engage said trackintermediate the longitudinal edges of said table top, said U-shapedpivotal structure having a pair of diametrically opposed holes near eachend thereof which extend substantially parallel to the longitudinaledges of said table top; a pair of tubular legs one rotatably mounted ineach end of said U-shaped tubular pivotal structure, each of said legshaving a pair of diametrically opposed relatively narrow cam slots nearthe upper end thereof; a pair of resilient positioning rods cooperablewith said legs and said track; a first bent portion on one end of eachof said positioning rods extending through the slots in said legs andthe holes in said U-shaped pivotal member to lock said legs and saidU-shaped pivotal member in engagement; and a second bent portion on theother end of each of said positioning rods adapted to extend into anopening in said track to hold and lock said table top in the openposition, each of said cam slots cooperating with the adjacent firstbent portion in one of said positioning rods to limit the rotationalmovement of said legs.

3. In a portable, light weight folding table, the combination of a fiattable top; a rim around said table top forming a track having openingstherein; a tubular substantially U-shaped pivotal structure secured tosaid table top by a pair of pivot members which engage said trackintermediate the longitudinal edges of said table top; expanded portionson the ends of said tubular U-shaped pivotal structure to receive a legmember of similar diameter, each of said expanded portions having a pairof diametrically opposed holes therein which extend substantiallyparallel to the longitudinal edges of said top; a pair of tubularsubstantially L-shaped legs rotatably positioned within the expandedends of said U-shaped tubular pivotal structure, each of said legshaving a pair of diametrically opposed, relatively narrow cam slots ashort distance from the upper end thereof; a pair of resilientpositioning rods cooperable with said legs and said track structure; afirst bent portion on one end of each of said rods extending through theholes in said U-shaped pivotal member and the slots in said legs to locksaid legs and said U-shaped pivotal member in engagement; and a secondbent portion on the other end of each of said resilient rods adapted toextend into an opening in said track to hold and lock said table in theopen position; each of said cam slots cooperating with the first bentportion on each of said resilient rods to limit the rotational movementof said legs.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS I2,079,639 Swensson May 11, 1937 2,299,909 Linderme Oct. 27, 19422,299,910 Linderme Oct. 27, 1942 2,632,496 Willis et al Mar. 24, 19532,686,094 Terry Aug. 10, 1954 2,692,175 Jacques Oct. 19, 1954 2,726,125Martin Dec. 6, 1955

